Broken Dreams. . .

People Need The Lord  ~ Arrangement by Ray Boltz
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As I walk through the Cancer Clinic, I see a sea of people from all walks of life, young and old, both men and women, some happy, some sad, some chatty, some quiet, but who, just like me, report to the registration desk and then have a seat in the waiting area until they are called for their next round of cancer treatment.  As I wait to be called for my next treatment, I sometimes wonder if, like me, they wonder, “If I wake up will this only have been a dream?” But “no” this is my reality, as is theirs, which we are all going through. As I look around, I see people passing by one another with their own cares, their own private pain and fears, while laughter hides their silent cries with perhaps broken dreams of yesterdays or tomorrows. Oh, if only things could be different. If only, we could turn back the hands of time. If only. . .  

Sadly, broken dreams are part of life that we all experience at one time or another.  As painful as broken dreams may be, however, rather than seeing a broken dream as an ending, I choose to see it as a new beginning.  For I know that God, in whom I trust, has a far better “plan” for my life than I could ever dream. It is a time to look up rather than give up.  It is a time when I draw nearer to God rather than become distant.  When disappointments and broken dreams come, as they most certainly will throughout life, I cling to such verses that remind me:

• “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

• “But He knows the way I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)       

• “Trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not unto my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

• “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen my heart; Yes, wait on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

For I have learned although this chapter in my life has been painful, this too shall pass.  As I walk by faith with God’s grace, I will become a better and stronger person. For I know I have not travelled down this path of broken dreams alone, but God is always with me and walking me “through” this valley.  If my desire is to be an encouragement and inspiration to others, how can I empathize with others who suffer, if I have not suffered?  It is my sincere prayer, if you are suffering from broken dreams that you too will know the love of God, and know with God nothing is impossible if you put your trust in Him.

I Trust In Thee

Though pain and sorrow came my way

And the tears began to flow,
I cried, "Dear Lord, I trust in Thee,"

While my faith began to grow.

~ By Bonita ~   

“Lord, help me to remember that your love is greater

than any of life’s disappointments

and your plans for my life are

far greater than my dreams could ever imagine.” 

~ By Bonita ~

      

Be Still. . .

Quiet Time With God ~ Arrangement by James Dering

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As part of my last three chemotherapy treatments, I was required to wear a pair of oversize mittens and slippers that were frigid beyond belief.  I truly thought before the end of each cycle I would end up with frostbite.  It was that freezing cold and painfully uncomfortable to the point that I could not be still and was constantly restless throughout the treatment.  The numbing, tingling sensation involving both my hands and feet was extremely challenging.  Occasionally, I would slip my hands out of the mittens for temporary relief but reluctantly would have to put my hands back into the mittens until the treatment period was finished.  I cannot tell you what relief it was when I saw the empty IV bag an hour later!  The purpose for wearing the mittens and slippers, I understand, is to numb the blood vessels in both your hands and feet so less chemo medication reaches these areas, in order to prevent the nails from discolouring or shedding. Although, I have discovered that one still ends up having some nail discolouration as well as numbness and tingling weeks later that will hopefully clear eventually; only time will tell. 

Being still can be very challenging for some as they feel they must constantly be on the go or doing something all the time.  During these past few months, however, as my world turned upside down, I have learned to appreciate being still and am reminded of God’s reassurance, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  For I have learned, only He is our safe haven and strength in times of struggles and stress.  Consequently, by being still one learns many lessons:

• Letting go of worry and fear, and savour the quietness of the soul that only God can give each and every day.  "When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble..." (Job 34:29)

• Treasure the peace and calmness when experiencing the serenity of the body, mind and soul when trusting God in all things.  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

• Wait patiently on the Lord, for only He will give the inner contentment, peace, and quietness when my heart is troubled. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you..." (John 14:27)

• Just like the dew that comes in the quiet evenings to water the gardens, so does God’s grace water and enrich my soul when I am calm and lean on Him for His nourishment of peace and tranquility. "And the peace of God that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

• Cherish this resting period as I listen to the whispers of God’s comfort for my body, mind and soul to heal and be restored.  "He maketh me lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul..." (Psalm 23:2-3)   

Remember, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a “gift” and that is why it is called the present!  I pray that the beauty of God’s peace may help take away the strain and stress that you may be experiencing in your life today when you, too, learn to be still and trust in the resources of God’s grace and His presence.

Be Still

"Be still, and know that I am God"

That's all He asks of me.

My trust I give to Him alone,

My mind is stayed on Thee.

~ By Bonita ~

“May the quiet whispers of God's presence and comfort 
still your body, mind and soul."
~ By Bonita ~

God's Recipe for Life. . .

My Jesus, I Love Thee ~ Arrangement by David Baroni

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As I stood at the kitchen counter measuring all the ingredients to make a pan of brownies for my husband recently, I could not help recall a story I once heard about a mother’s words of encouragement to her daughter, who was struggling with life’s disappointments.  Sometimes we, too, may wonder, “What did I do deserve this?” or “Why did this have to happen in my life?” If you are like me, perhaps you will find this story heartwarming, and one, I am sure, many of us can most certainly relate to in our own daily lives.  

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong ~ she’s failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her, and her best friend is moving away.  Meanwhile, her mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter replies, ‘Absolutely mom, I love your cake.’ 

‘Here, have some cooking oil,’ her mother offers. 

‘Yuck’ says her daughter.

‘How about a couple of raw eggs?’ 

‘Gross, mom,’ replies her daughter.

‘Would you like some flour then or maybe a teaspoon of baking soda?’ 

‘Mom, those are all yucky!’

To which the mother replies, ‘Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves, but when they are all put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!  God works the same way. (Author Anonymous)

At times we may wonder why God allows us to go through sad and difficult times.  But if we allow God to work out His plans for our lives then they always work for our good.  We just have to trust Him!  It is so easy for us to become discouraged and disheartened with life’s disappointments when things do not go the way we planned or when the unexpected seems so overwhelming we do not know what to do. However, we can always turn to God, who always has the answers for life’s challenges.  The following is another recipe I discovered that pretty much sums up what I try to remind myself of every day:

GOD'S RECIPE FOR LIFE
• 1 pinch of pain
• 1 1/4 cup of sorrow
• 1 1/2 tbs of loneliness
• 1/3 cup of disappointments
• 3 cups of forgiveness
• 4 cups of caring
• 5 cups of love

Chop up pain, sorrow, loneliness and disappointments in your heart, until there is peace.  Then add forgiveness and carefully stirring slowly until there is hope.  Next add the 5 cups of love and let simmer until there is joy. It is recommended you have a bowl of this every morning. (Author Anonymous)

With God, nothing is impossible! He is always working all things together, good and bad, that happens in our lives.  As I am reminded, “He makes all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).  So, rather than asking, “God, why is this happening to me?” (Yup, even cancer!) Perhaps, try asking, “God, what can I learn from this experience so I can become more like Jesus ~ more caring, more encouraging, more compassionate?”  For I know, I am always His and He is mine and that is a recipe for life that I savour every day. 

When we put our cares in His hands, 

He puts His peace in our hearts. 

~ Anonymous ~

Soar Like An Eagle. . .

You Raise Me Up ~ Arrangement by Unknown (Violin Instrumental)

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Although these past few months have felt like I have been in the middle of one of the greatest battles of my life, I feel like I can soar like an eagle – my surgery is behind me and my chemotherapy is now complete for which I thank God over and over! Although further chapters of treatment are still forthcoming, we are persevering. I can honestly claim another promise of God when I read, “But those who wait (hope/trust) in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). I marvel each time I see a majestic eagle soar through the magnificent blue sky with its massive wings spread out as it proclaims freedom, strength, and inspiration for all of us. Just like the eagle rising to new heights as it soars through the sky, when we choose to put our hope and trust in God, He gives us wings to rise above our trials and sufferings so that we can turn our anxieties into assurance, our burdens into blessings, our fears into faith, our helplessness into hope, our sorrows into song, our trials into triumph, and our weariness into worship.

For I have learned, it is not what happens in my life that defines who I am, BUT how I choose to react to life’s challenges. If we maintain a positive attitude with faith, hope and trust we, too, can soar beyond life’s ever changing winds and turbulence that come our way and rise above our disappointments, loss, pain, sufferings, and weariness, which all of us inevitably experience throughout life. For God promises, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust” (Psalm 91:4). How comforting to be embraced under His wings knowing we do not go through our valleys or climb our mountains alone for He is with us! It is only when we face our trials and sufferings with a positive attitude, while putting our hope and trust in God, that the testing of our faith develops our perseverance (James 1:3). There is no doubt there has been days, during these past few months, when I have truly been tried and tested beyond belief through my battle of chemotherapy with pain, suffering and fatigue, of which I will never forget. Nevertheless, I have been so blessed to have the abundant prayers, unconditional love, compassion, and support of my loved ones to help me endure these difficult times as well as the excellent medical care I have received from the St. Joseph's Health Care London Breast Care Centre and the London Regional Cancer Program. Most of all, however, as I put my hope and trust in God and have drawn nearer to Him, through His grace and strength, He has empowered me with the calm assurance and confidence that I, too, can soar like an eagle. How thankful I am that under God’s wings I can rise above all obstacles in my life for which I give Him all the praise and glory!

With God’s wings under you and His strength behind you, 

you can rise above whatever lies ahead of you. ~ By Bonita